Kevin Keller's star in the comic-book world is always rising, and so is the number of titles on his résumé.

A fan favorite and Archie Comics' first openly gay character, Kevin has been named a Spirit Day 2013 Ambassador, the first time the GLAAD organization has bestowed the honor on a fictional character.

Today marks the fourth observance of Spirit Day, where celebrities and others wear purple to show their support for LGBT youth who are victims of bullying and intolerance. In addition to Kevin, other Ambassadors this year include TV personality Maria Menounos, musicians Kacey Musgrave, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and Ke$ha, WWE wrestler Darren Young, and basketball players Brittney Griner and Jason Collins.

And while Kevin has been a champion of the LGBT community on and off the page for Archie Comics, he's suiting up to be a proper superhero in Kevin Keller No. 14, out May 21.

In May, the character won the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Comic Book in May. As exciting as that was, being a Spirit Day Ambassador is also great because Kevin's notoriety can be used to help others, says his creator, Archie writer/artist Dan Parent. "It's important to do good, and to keep moving forward."

The same goes for Kevin in comic books. Since his debut in 2010, he has had some notable milestones — his first kiss, getting married, etc. — and Parent felt it was time he garnered his own superhero alias like others in Riverdale, the Equalizer. (Old-school Archie fans will remember the Super Teens, with Archie as Pureheart the Powerful and Jughead as Captain Hero.)

Kevin stumbles into this new persona and mantle of fighting for equality with the help of his BFF, Veronica Lodge, Parent says. "We'll see him fight for justice, but with comedic effect since we want to keep it light and have fun, too."

Creator Dan Parent went for a "simple and classy look" for Kevin Keller's new superhero costume.(Photo: Archie Comics)

"Kevin's not a showy person — he kind of goes for that classic look," he says. "Of course if Veronica had her way ..."

The character quickly became an icon for the gay community when he was introduced, but since then Kevin's proven to have a broader appeal.

Parent has seen and heard from fans who've been inspired by Kevin, and he feels that someone like that needs to be used to his fullest potential.

"Kevin is a comic-book character, but when people can relate to an issue that personally affects them that can make a big difference," Parent says. "Many people have told me that if they had a gay character in a comic book growing up when they were a kid, it could have changed their lives.

"So I try to inspire readers, but by doing it in a lighthearted, fun way at the same time."